Job Discussion Forums

Lucky_Lute_The_Lush · Posted: Thu Mar 29, 2007 5:39 am Post subject: Another what are my chances post!

So next May I graduate with a Masters in Journalism. I am also planning on going through TEFL International 120 hr program to get certified. My plan is to hopefully get a job either in South America or East Asia (S. Korea, China) and use that as a way to get to know the country, culture and lifestyle while having a job to support me. I also hope to begin work as basically a freelance foreign correspondent, doing both writing and photojournalism. The idea is to basically make myself a correspondent and just dispatch my work until I pick up a job as a foreign correspondent for a newspaper or wire service. What I mainly want to know is if I will have good credentials for a decent job, and is this plan viable? I want to use the teaching as a gateway to getting to know all I can about the country. Any opinions or thoughts are welcome.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

I can't see why your plan wouldn't work. I suspect however, that learning the language will be quite important for you if you want to become a foreign correspondent.

canuck · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 1921 Location: Japan

Sheikh Inal Ovar · Joined: 04 Dec 2005 Posts: 1208 Location: Melo Drama School

Don't put yourself in the same category as the other hopefuls ... their post would be more along the lines of :

Lucky_Lute_The_Lush · Posted: Thu Mar 29, 2007 2:17 pm Post subject:

Thanks everybody.

Actually my thesis project is going to involve working on my own web magazine page. So I figured starting out, or as long as needed, I would basically put my work up on one page and hopefully through word of mouth, some connections I have, and promotion wherever I can, it will draw attention to what I am doing and have my journalistic work recognized.

Learning the language is going to be important, I have had 2 years of Spanish, and a little Chinese. When I start applying, depending on where I get a job, I am going to use language cd's to work on learning, such as the Rosetta Stone discs they advertise.

Any more advice you have concerning teaching abroad would be helpful, though I do want to be a journalist, I do want to half-ass the teaching just because it is the means to an end. I plan on putting as much effort into teaching as I would writing or taking pictures for a story.

I was worried some might think that the teaching wouldn't be much of a focus for me.

Deicide · Posted: Thu Mar 29, 2007 4:28 pm Post subject:

Lucky_Lute_The_Lush · Posted: Thu Mar 29, 2007 5:32 pm Post subject:

Deicide · Posted: Thu Mar 29, 2007 5:47 pm Post subject:

mlomker · Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 378

tedkarma

I spent six good years in Korea - two different tours - at two different universities.

With a graduate degree you should be able to land a good job - even a decent entry level job at a university. With no previous experience you can't expect the very best positions, but in your second year you could probably land a decent 4-day-a-week type job that will leave you plenty of time for journalism.

I worked a four-day week both times I was in Korea and was able to write several books, develop several websites and still have some time to relax.

All that - and you should still be able to save a $1000 a month or so while you are there.

Quite doable. But, know that live overseas is not for everyone and not everyone adjusts well to the ups and downs of expatriate living.

Lucky_Lute_The_Lush · Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2007 3:15 am Post subject:

I had expected that my first year would be pretty much committed to the teaching experience with little outside time, though I would make the most of it. I am hoping that during my last year I might get some experience teaching some freshman or sophomore level journalism classes, was awarded an assistantship and have made a point to get involved as much as possible within the department. Believe me in no way did I have any delusion of coming in with a high pay, low work responsibility type job.

As far as the life outside the US, I can deal with it. I got to take a study abroad for a few weeks in South Africa. All I can say is that I have no desire to stay in the state of Mississippi. Seriously, I think I have a case of wanderlust. I want to see the world and am willing to be open to any new experience, and know it can't be done staying here. Personally it would be a great chance to learn and test myself to just go and live somewhere, and try to create a life in a new country. Once graduation is over, there is nothing to hold me here anymore.

Any opinions on the TEFL International program that advertises here on Dave�s?

tedkarma · Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2007 4:14 am Post subject:

Lucky_Lute_The_Lush · Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2007 1:52 am Post subject:

Ok, so the program looks decent, and it seems that SK may be the place for me to start. Quick question, why do I get logged out when I switch to the SK boards, and then can't log back in?

saint57 · Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2007 9:54 am Post subject:

I've taught in South Korea, China, and now Malaysia. If you have a long term plan, scratch Korea off your list. Korea will kick the poop out of you. It sounds to me like Ted Karma had a nice experience, but I haven't met him. I only met two people with positions like Ted Karma's and they were lifers. Another guy I knew got hired by a university and the last time I talked to him, he hated his job.

I honestly think China is what you're looking for. I loved China so much because I had lots of free time. You can use that time to learn the language and learn about the country.

In Korea, I had a grand total of nine vacation days and they weren't consecutive. I talking a Tuesday here and a Thursday there.

Would you rather be an expert on China or Korea?

Lucky_Lute_The_Lush · Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2007 8:51 pm Post subject:

China would definetly be the place for me to do any kind of long term work. The culture, history, and people have always interested me. Though S Korea may just be a place to get a start and by what it sounds get some funds saved up. Something I could use in the beginning and be helpful for when I decide to go full journalist. Thanks for all the advice, it has been extremely helpful in working out my plan and if anyone has any more, I would gladly listen!